Brandon Ching | ScoringLive
November 17, 2015, 9:03pm
Chase for the Championship
Kapaa seeks first-ever Division II championship
Glen Pascual | Special to SLAlmost three months later, Kapaa is returning to Oahu, this time they are looking to win their first-ever Division II football championship.
The Warriors (9-0 overall) will go up against Radford (12-0 overall) in the title game of the First Hawaiian Bank/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Football State Championships on Friday, Nov. 20. Both teams have been either No. 1 or No. 2 in the Hawaiian Electric/ScoringLive Division II Power Rankings throughout the season.
Kapaa lost to Iolani in the semifinals in 2011 and 2014, but this season they vowed to get over the hump. The Warriors came to Oahu on Aug. 8 and beat No. 6 Nanakuli, 20-2. The following week they beat No. 9 Lahainaluna, 14-10 and from there they shut out seven-straight opponents--including the Lunas again in the state semifinals.
"To get over the hump is amazing. Last year was devastating losing to Iolani and we ran out of time. It feels great to have this opportunity," said quarterback Kurt Napoleon.
"After last year, we gave Iolani a good game, we had chances to win, but they were the better team that day. We made a commitment to getting back to the semifinals and to win a state championship. Everything we've done up until this point, we have to finish, it's all about finishing," said Kapaa coach Philip Rapozo.
WHAT: 13th Annual First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Division II Football State Championships, title game
WHO: Radford Rams (12-0/OIA champion) vs. Kapaa Warriors (9-0/KIF champion)
WHEN: Friday, 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium.
TICKETS: Adults $12 (purchased at Aloha Stadium), adults $9 (purchased at First Hawaiian Bank branches), students (grades K-12) $5, seniors (62-and-over w/ID) $5
STATE TOURNAMENT HISTORY—Radford: Fourth appearance (2005, 2008, 2012, 2015), 5-3 all-time record, 0-2 record in title game. Kapaa: Third appearance (2011, 2014-'15), 3-2 all-time record, first apperance in title game.
In their semifinal game against Lahainaluna, where they won, 24-0, the defense showed why they haven't allowed any offensive touchdowns in the past seven games. They held the Lunas to 16 yards of total offense and defensive lineman Ola Tatofi had a team-high eight tackles and three sacks.
"We have multiple weapons on this team, we just fly to the ball and everyone does their assignments," said defensive lineman Mana Kupihea.
"It's a sense of relief in the back of my mind that they have our backs," added Napoleon.
The Warriors used a fast-break offense and were able to dictate the tempo. When quarterback Kurt Napoleon and running back Kekoa Kaluahine-Cacal, went down with injuries in the state semis, Kalena Harder, who moved up from JV, stepped in to rush for 98 yards and three touchdowns to carry the offense.
The passing game struggled, but Kapaa was able to gain 218 net rushing yards in their second meeting against Lahainaluna.
"It was great, our linemen did well in the blocking. The key is was the fast tempo and no-huddle, that's the base of our offense and we like to spread it out and we hit it where it will work," said Napoleon.
"I think when Kekoa got hurt, it was a big loss and that was my chance but he's a big part of this team and we need him and Kurt back for this game," said Harder.
Winning state title will mean a lot to the tight-knit Kapaa community and the players and coaches are excited to make it happen.
"I want to do it so bad for the fans, the community, and the old timers. We want to do it for the island and we have a great chance at doing it," said Rapozo.
"It is a great feeling we have a lot of supporters behind our backs and it's great the community can come out here and come even closer," said Napoleon.
Kickoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. at Hawaiian Airlines Field at Aloha Stadium.
